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    Home | Puddings

    May 20, 2022 · Modified: May 20, 2022 by Mary-Lou · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Vanilla Rice Pudding

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    Rice pudding in a bowl.

    This easy homemade silky smooth creamy egg-free vanilla rice pudding is made from a few pantry ingredients, sweetened with condensed milk and cooked on the hob or stovetop.

    This naturally gluten-free rice pudding is a hug in a bowl. It's everything you didn't know you needed for a fall or winter pudding. It's warm, comforting and creamy. And TBH - it's also really great cold!

    Need a dairy-free or vegan rice pudding? Check out the variations below the ingredients!

    Bowl of rice pudding with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

    I don't quite remember the origins of this particular recipe, except that I had a bunch of risotto rice in the pantry, and a hankering for a warm dessert on a cold Middleburg winter's evening. I plodded along in the kitchen, and over the years I have experimented with this recipe.

    It was here in New Zealand that I opted to replace half the milk with water because I simply could not get the rice to soften up to my desired liking during the cooking phase. I put this down to perhaps having slightly different varieties of rice available here when compared to South Africa.

    Jump to:
    • What is rice pudding?
    • Ingredients
    • How to make rice pudding on the hob
    • Storage and Freezing
    • Rice Pudding FAQ
    • Pin for Later
    • Other Pudding Recipes to Try
    • Recipe
    • Vanilla Rice Pudding

    What is rice pudding?

    Rice pudding is one of those dishes found across the globe, with hundreds of variants. This pudding typically consists of rice, milk, water, cinnamon, vanilla, raisins, and a bit of sugar for sweetness. Rice pudding can be made on the hob, baked in the oven as well as using appliances such as instant pots and slow cookers.

    This recipe is made by cooking the pudding on the stovetop or hob. It was cooked up in the evening when the craving for something sweet yet comforting was needed. I mashed together a few rice pudding recipes and experimented with making changes here and there as I went.

    My favourite variation of this dessert is my chocolate, which simply requires the addition of cocoa powder for a rich chocolatey flavour.

    Ingredients

    Here are some notes on the ingredients used in this recipe. Please see the recipe card for quantities.

    This is an egg-free rice pudding that can be made with condensed milk, or with sugar. This recipe can also be made vegan friendly.

    Rice pudding ingredients.

    Rice – I use arborio or risotto rice for this pudding, because it is starchy, which adds to the creaminess of the dish. I also don't rinse the rice.

    Water basically cooks the rice and releases starch. 

    Sweetener - this rice pudding can be sweetened with white or brown sugar or condensed milk. Either regular or "lite" condensed milk can be used in this recipe.

    Milk and Cream give this pudding the silk smooth comforting creaminess. I usually use standard (whole) or trim (2%) milk and heavy cream. 

    The vanilla extract gives this pudding a rich vanilla flavour. Use the best you can. 

    Salt is a crucial ingredient in all baked goods and desserts. I use table salt in all my recipes. One teaspoon of table salt equals 1.5 teaspoons of Morton Kosher Salt equals 2 teaspoons of Diamond Crystal.

    Variations

    The butter can be replaced with a vegan alternative or even vegetable oil.

    For a chocolate rice pudding, add in a third of a cup of sifted cocoa powder when you add in the milk and sugar. 

    Raisins are commonly added to many rice pudding recipes, if you feel the need, toss in a cup of raisins or sultanas.

    Add in additional spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom or even a pumpkin spice mix to punch it up and make it your own. 

    A dairy-free or vegan rice pudding can be made by:

    • Substituting the milk and cream with coconut milk and cream
    • Using white or brown sugar as a sweetener - the only vegan condensed milk I like is the coconut milk variety. But this does have a very strong coconut flavour. I would opt for using sugar as a sweetener for the vegan alternative to keep that milder, softer flavour more reminiscent of rice pudding.
    • Substituting the butter with vegan margarine or neutral vegetable oil

    How to make rice pudding on the hob

    Step 1 – Combine the rice, water, butter and salt in a large pot. Bring to boil and simmer until the rice has absorbed most of the water. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.

    Water, rice, butter and salt combined in a pot.

    Step 2 – Add the milk, cream, sugar or condensed milk, and vanilla to the rice. Simmer the mixture until the milk and cream has reduced and has been absorbed by the rice. Stirring every minute or so to ensure the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pot. This will take about 30 to 35 minutes.

    Rice cooked with cream, condensed milk and milk.

    Step 3 – Allow the pudding to cool, either in the pot or in a heat-proof container. But to prevent skin from forming on the rice pudding, take a piece of cling film or plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding. 

    Rice pudding covered with cling film while it cools.

    Step 4 – Serve the pudding warm or cold, with a dash of cinnamon, some chocolate shavings, a dollop of jam and perhaps some fresh berries. 

    Bowl of rice pudding with cinnamon.

    Storage and Freezing

    Store any leftovers (I mean if there are any) in the fridge, covered with cling film for 3 to 5 days. 

    Rice Pudding FAQ

    Who invented rice pudding?

    Rice pudding is thought to have originated in China or India. This pudding is now found around the world, with every country having their own variation of the comforting pudding.

    Can rice pudding be eaten cold?

    Yes. This particular recipe is great warm and cold. I like to take the rice pudding out of the fridge and come to room temperature for a few minutes before tucking it into the delicious creamy pudding.

    How is rice pudding cooked?

    This particular recipe is cooked on the stove or hob, but rice pudding can be baked in the oven, or even cooked in an instant pot, crockpot or slow cooker. There is a multitude of recipes and cooking techniques.

    Is rice pudding and tapioca the same?

    Tapioca is a starch that is extracted from the roots of the cassava plant. Tapioca balls, are used to make tapioca pudding and can be made in a similar manner to rice pudding.

    Is rice pudding gluten free?

    Rice is naturally gluten-free, and no ingredients used in this rice pudding recipe contain gluten (although please check your nutritional labels and manufacturing warning!)

    Pin for Later

    Bowls of rice pudding with sprinkle of cinnamon.

    Other Pudding Recipes to Try

    • Melkkos
    • Hot Cross Bun Pudding
    • Best Malva Pudding Ever
    • Self-Saucing Chocolate Pudding

    Don't forget to tag me @marylou_saltyginger on Instagram, #saltygingerblog with your renditions of these recipes!

    If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating! It gives me and my readers helpful feedback. If you want more recipes you can subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook!

    Recipe

    Bowl of rice pudding with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

    Vanilla Rice Pudding

    This easy egg-free vanilla rice pudding is made from pantry ingredients, sweetened with condensed milk and cooked on the hob or stovetop.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 50 mins
    Total Time: 55 mins
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 245kcal
    Author: Mary-Lou
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Arborio rice Risotto Rice
    • 2 cups water
    • 2 teaspoon butter or oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups milk
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • ¾ cup sugar or
    • 240 grams condensed milk

    Instructions

    • Combine the rice, water, butter and salt in a large pot. Bring to boil and simmer until the rice has absorbed most of the water. This will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
      1 cup Arborio rice, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoon butter or oil, 1 teaspoon salt
    • Add the milk, cream, sugar or condensed milk, and vanilla to the rice. Simmer the mixture until the milk and cream has reduced and has been absorbed by the rice. Stirring every minute or so to ensure the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pot. This will take about 30 to 35 minutes.
      2 cups milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ¾ cup sugar or, 240 grams condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Allow the rice pudding to cool before serving. To prevent skin from forming on the top of the pudding, place a piece of cling film or plastic wrap on the top of the pudding, patting it down so that it makes contact with the top of the pudding.
    • Serve the pudding warm or cold, with a dash of cinnamon, some chocolate shavings, a dollop of jam and perhaps some fresh berries.

    Notes

    For a chocolate rice pudding, add in a third of a cup of sifted cocoa powder when you add in the milk and sugar. 
    Raisins are commonly added to many rice pudding recipes, if you feel the need, toss in a cup of raisins or sultanas.
    Add in additional spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom or even a pumpkin spice mix to punch it up and make it your own. 

    Dairy-free or vegan rice pudding can be made by:

    • Substituting the milk and cream with coconut milk and cream
    • Using white or brown sugar as a sweetener - the only vegan condensed milk I like is the coconut milk variety. But this does have a very strong coconut flavour. I would opt for using sugar as a sweetener for the vegan alternative to keep that milder, softer flavour more reminiscent of rice pudding.
    • Substituting the butter with vegan margarine or neutral vegetable oil

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 341mg | Sugar: 20g

    Nutrition information is an estimate. If scaling the recipe remember to scale your cook and bakeware accordingly.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @marylou_saltyginger on Instagram and tag or #saltygingerblog so that I can see your creations!
    Course :Puddings
    Cuisine :Global
    Keyword :Easy Rice Pudding, Rice Pudding
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